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~%~1 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY 23, 1977 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met on Monday, May 23, 1977, at 7:30 p.m., in the Commissioners' Room of the Courthouse in Hillsborough to continue budget hearings. Present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, and Norman Walker. Absent was Commissioner Donald Willhoit. Others present were S. M. Gattis, County Manager, Neal Evans, Finance Officer and Agatha Johnson, G1erk. Chairman Whitted stated that the Board would hear the budget presenta- tion of the Chapel Hill--Carrboro School System and he recognized Dr. Norm Weatherly, Chairman of the School Board, and Dr. Robert Hanes, Superin- tendent of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System. Dr. Banes introduced to the Board other members of the School Board. Dr. Weatherly opened the presentation by speaking of the number of meetings held in the past months to determine the needs of the School system. These meetings included professional organizations and many individuals who were concerned and interested in the programs in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System. Dr. Robert Hanes was asked to characterise items in the proposed budget. Dz'. Hanes stated that the per capita expenditure for the current sshaol year was estimated at $274.95 per pupil. The proposed current expense document request an increase to $358,49 per pupil, showing an increase in the amount of $83,54 per pupil. As a comparison, the antici- pated revenues from the School District Tax, the per pupil expenditure for this year is $186.75. The projection for the coming year is that this tax will produce some $200.88 per pupil. Dr. Hanes stated that the per pupil figures which were being used were projections by the State Board of Education based on an average daily membership enrollment. The current figures for this year if 9,427 and the projected figure for the coming year shows an increase of 39 students making a total of 5,466. Teaching positions paid by the State are based on these figures, and the 5,466 figure will bring about three new teaching positions for~~he coming year. The proposed current expense budget for 1977-78 calls for an in- crease in county per capita funds in the amount of $467,262.50. Of this amount, $266,449,p5 is for basic or continuing programs, and $200,813.00 is the anticipated cost of improvements. The $266,449 is the cost of the basic programm of the budget itself, and these projections are essentially to continue into next year, various programs which are now offered. The causes for the $266,449 increase are (1) an increase in the base salary of locally paid employees by 7~ percent and (2) a sub- stantial increase in the expected cost of utilities. The reasons far the projective increase in utilities is the fact that new rates went into effect this Spring and this projects sn increase of about 40 percent in cost within the School districts. Another reason for the increase is due to the renovations of the heating and air-cooling systems in three schools -- within the district. The $200,813 cost is for added, or improved program section of the proposed current expense budget reflects essentially eight major emphases. (1) Special Needs of Exceptional children, (2) the provision os Additional Aides, (3) provisions for Increased Instructional Operating Costs, (4) provision for improved support of after-school programs., (5) changes in the Junior High School program, (6) support for~student field trips. (7) improvements in maintenance, (8) special support activities, and (9) support of summer.schaol costs. Dr. Hanes spoke of the program for special needs of exceptional children. He stated that the School system was presently serving 920 children with special needs.